Slip-joint fill box



Aug. 2; 1932 i J. B. HoLTsoN SLIPIJOINT FILL BOX Filed Sept. 25, 1930 gwuemtoz x fl 1 7 1 a 3 1 I m 2 fi a 1 a u n 2 E J I' h g mw I11 K. fi f i i 6 m,

Patented Aug. 2, 1932 rr' er JAMES B. HOL'ESON, OF TOVSON, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE HUFFMAN MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, 01? DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION 015 OHIO SLIP-JOINT FILL BOX Application filed September 25,1930. Serial No. 484,402.

The invention relates to fill boxes for use in connection with underground tanks provided for the storage of gasoline, oils and the like, and has for its general object the provie sion of a novel arrangement and construction whereby there is a slip connection between the fill box embedded for instance in a driveway or pavement at a service station or other tively connected to the fill box, as is the cus-,

tomary procedure, any settling of the tank TY might and probably would result in stripping the threads, in case of a screw connection, or otherwise disrupting whatever connecting means may be provided between the tank and the fill box. Furthermore in case the pavement should settle it is clear that the reverse but an analogous condition would exist whichwould nevertheless result in break ing the connection. It is with these various facts in view that I have designed the present invention which contemplates a construction wherein there is an absence of a positive connection between the pipe and the fill box, these parts having asliding fit of such character, however, that disassociation of the parts will be prevented inasmuch as each constitutes a guide for the other.

- An important object of theinvention is to provide a construction of this character in which the fill box itself may consist of any preferred detailed construction and'mayenclose a suitable locked closure on the fill pipe, it being well known that it is highly desirable to provide a locked cover ,in order to prevent filling of the tank by an unauthorized tank man with, possibly, an inferior substance as frequently occurs unless precautionary measures be taken.

' 'An additionalobject is to provide a structure of this character in which the fit of the fitting on top of the fill pipe may be such as to provide for the escape of air and gases displaced by the inflowing liquid when the tank is being filled.

Another object is to provide a structure of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to make, easy to install and use, positive in action, efiicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawing in which: i

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the fill box construction and combination constituting my invention, certain parts being left in elevation, and

Figure 2 is a plan view with parts broken away and in section.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, it will be observed that I have not illustrated the underground tank itself as such is unnecessary to a proper understanding of the invention. However, I have shown the fill pipe 10 which rises from the tank in the cus tomary manner and which is provided for the purpose of introducing the gasoline or other liquid within the tank. In carrying out the invention 1 provide a fill box indicated as a whole by the numeral ll and which is adapted and intended to be embedded within the cement of a driveway or pavement at a gasoline service station or other place where the tank may be installed. While it is conceivable that this fill box itself might be varied within considerable limits, it is here represented as comprising a cylindrical body 12 open at its top and formed with an inwardly directed flange 13 spaced somewhat below the top and providing a ledge or seat for a gasket 14 adapted to be compressingly engaged by the disk shaped cover 15 which may be secured in place in any'desired manner, preferably by a bayonet slot connect on though it should be distinctly un derstood that screw threads or any equivalent may be used if preferred. In the presout instance the cover is shown as provided with depending lugs 16 adapted to be inserted through openings 17 in the flange 13, the underneath portions of the flange being inclined so as to cooperate with the lugs 16 for drawing down the cover into comprcssn'g engagement with the gasket 14 when the cover is partially rotated by means of any suitable key insertable within recesses 18 provided for the purpose. Vhile it is not essential, the body 12 is disclosed as having exterior and interior long tudinally extending reinforcing ribs 19 and 20 respectively, the latter of which performs an additional function to be explained. The lower end of the body 12 is constricted as at 21 and may depend to any desired extent.

The body 12 is of course embedded in the pavement, not shown, and receives the upper end of the pipe 10 leading to a storage tank, likewise not shown. At its upper end the pipe 10 is exteriorly threaded as shown and screwed thereonto is the lower end of a fitting 22 here represented as provided exteriorly with a series of longitudinal ribs 23 located within the constricted portion 21 of the body and serving as aguide for centering the pipe 10 with respect to the fill box 11. By providing these guide ribs it is obvious that there will be spaces 24 between them and between the periphery of the fitting and the inner surface of the constricted portion 21, which openings will permit the es cape of any water which might conceivably enter the box. It will furthermore be noted that there is a slight degree of clearance between the outer surface 23 and the inner periphery of the constricted portion 21 so that there will be no binding, this feature permitting relative movement of the pipe and fitting with respect to the fill box so that the tank or fill box may settle or otherwise move with respect to each other without bringing any strain whatsoever upon the parts such as would be present if there were a positive and direct connection between the pipe and the fill box.

lVhile it is of course conceivable that any preferred closure or cover might be prov ded for the fill pipe 10, I have here shown the upper end of the fitting 22 as exteriorly threaded and carrying a cap 25 which is screwed thereonto, this cap having a depending central portion 26 defining a groove 27 receiving a gasket 28 compressingly engaging upon the upper end of the fitting 22 for making a tight connect'on. The central portion 26 of the cap is disclosed as having a recess 29 therein of somewhat crescent shape adapted to receive a turning key, not shown, by means of which the cap may be rotated for the purpose of screwing it onto or unscrewing it from the fitting 22.

To prevent unauthorized filling of the tank or theft of liquid therefrom by means of a pump or the like, I have shown the cap 25 as provided with upstanding ears 30 between which is pivoted at 31 an arm 32 of a hasp-like construction having a slot therein fitting over an apertured ear or staple 31 on the cover, this car 34 having its hole 35 adapted to receive the shackle of a padlock, not shown. The arm or hasp 32 has an extension 36 upon its free end project' 1g into the space between the ribs 20 so that when the padlock is in position the arm or hasp 32 will strikeagainst one or the other of the ribs 20 in case an ellort is made to unscrew the cap 25. To ei'l'ect unscrewing it is necessary to remove the padlock and swing the hasp or arm 32 into vertical position so that the extension 36 on its end will be out of 01 structing relation to the ribs 20.

Assuming that the device has been constructed and assembled as above described it will be apparent that under normal circunu stances the cap 25 is in place, the hasp or arm 32 is in horizontal position and held thus by a padlock having its shackle inserted through the hole 35, and that the cover 15 is likewise in position upon the upper end of the [ill b0 to close the same and prevent the entrance of dirt or water. When it is desired to fill the tank, it is first necessary to remove the cover 15, unlock and remove the padlock from engagement with the car 3 1, swing the hasp or arm 32 into vertical position, and then rotate the cap 25 to unscrew it. After the cap is thus removed the usual hose nozzle on a tank wagon or the like may be inserted within the fitting 22 and the liquid introduced through the pipe 10 into the tank. After the supply within the tank has been replenished, the cap 25 is reapplied, the arm 32 again swung into horizontal position, the padlock engaged with the ear 3% and the cover 15 replaced.

lVhat is probably the most essential feature of the construction disclosed is the ar range-merit whereby the fill box itself and the fill pipe leading to the tank are independent, that is to say in the sense that while they co operate there is no direct or positive connection between them. The fitting 22 with its ribs 23 has only a slip-joint connection with the constricted lower end 21 of the fill box so that the box and the tank with the pipe attached to the latter may move relatively without any tendency whatsoever to bring any strain upon the parts. This is an important feature in that there is no possibility of disrupting any connection, thereby obviating any necessity for repairs.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawingit will be apparent that I have thus provided an extremely simple and inexpensive construction which will be highly efiicient for the purpose specified and which will in every way adequately perform the desired functions. t might also be mentioned that by virtue of this particular arrangement installation is facilitated as there is no necessity for close and accurate fitting such as would be required if there were to be a positive and direct connection between the parts. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention'or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a fill pipe and a fill box in surrounding relation thereto, the pipe and box being relatively slidably movable with respect to each other.

2. In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fill box surrounding the upper portion thereof in relatively movable relation thereto, closure means for the pipe located within the box, and closure means for the box.

3. In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fill box surrounding the upper portion thereof in relatively movable relation thereto, closure means for the pipe located within the box, closure means for the box, and means at the upper end of the pipe cooperating with the inner periphery of the box to serve as guidev means for maintaining the pipe in centered relation to the box.

4. In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fitting upon the upper end thereof, and a fill box having a constricted lower portion slidably receiving the fitting.

5. In combination,-a tank fill pipe, at fitting upon the upper end thereof, and a fill box having a constricted lower portion slidably receiving the fitting, said fitting being provided exteriorly with a series of longitudinally extending guide ribs cooperating with the inner periphery of said constricted portion for centering the fitting and pipe with respect to the fill box.

6. In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fill box having a constricted lower portion and an open top with a removable closure, a fitting upon the upper end of said pipe located within the constricted portion of the box and slidable with respect thereto, and a closure cap upon said fitting.

7 In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fill box having a constricted lower portion. and an open top with a removable closure,a fitting upon the upper end of said pipe located within the constricted portion of the box I and slidable with respect thereto, a closure cap upon said fitting, an arm pivoted on said cap and normally disposed horizontally with its free end adjacent the inner periphery of the box, means for normally maintaining the arm in horizontal position, and means on the 9. In combination, a tank fill pipe, a fitting upon the upper end thereof and a fill box slidably receiving the fitting.

10. In combination, a fill pipe, a nipple detachably secured to said fill pipe, a fill box surrounding said nipple, said fill box and said nipple being relatively slidable with respect to each other, and said nipple being rotatable in said fill boxto detach it from said fill pipe.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES B. HOLTSON. 

